Sports
Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Hakeem gets back to winning ways with a Gr 3 victory
August 12, 2024 | 12:53 AM
Runner-up of the Gr 3 La Coupe on return, the five-year-old Al Hakeem (Siyouni) went back to the winning enclosure to land the Gr 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club at Deauville yesterday.Having his second run of the year, the Al Shaqab Racing owned — Al Hakeem missed the rest of 2023 after an injury in the Gr 2 Prix d’Harcourt. The homebred is trained by Jean-Claude Rouget.Ridden by Cristian Demuro, Al Hakeem travelled in second just ahead of Feed The Flame (Kingman).With Sacaya (The Grey Gatsby) leading at a good pace, the talented horse looked to be in a comfortable rhythm.Entering the home straight, the son of Siyouni kept on well to win by half a length. Woodchuck (Birchwood) stayed on in second. Elusive Princess (Martinborough) took third."They’ve done well to get him back today,” said the winning jockey after the race. "The whole team has done a very good job and I thank them. He is only 80% ready, that’s only his second start this year, he will improve from that.”Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, he is out of a Gr 3 placed Jadhaba (Galileo), who is a daughter of multiple Gr 2 winner Naissance Royale (Giant’s Causeway).
August 12, 2024 | 12:53 AM